Muddy Boots Tour

13th April

Today marks an enormously exciting day at Westonbirt as the keys have officially been handed over to our stunning and transformational new Prep School buildings.

It is hard to overstate what a difference this is going to make to the experience of the pupils living and learning at Westonbirt Prep. Light and airy, with the most inspiring views over Westonbirt’s gorgeous grounds, every classroom has been carefully designed to elevate the learning of our pupils and create an environment where they will really thrive.

With these spectacular buildings now ours, the Easter holidays are seeing them transformed from empty shells full of potential to fully furnished and finished learning and communal spaces, ready for the start of the Summer Term on Tuesday 21st April.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the end of Spring Term to mark the completion of the build, and the official handover from builders RJ Leighfield & Sons marks the culmination of a 15-month construction project and represents a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to providing an exceptional educational environment for its pupils.

19th January

The new year has sparked a flurry of activity across our Prep School development project following a brief pause over the Christmas period. The start of the new term has brought another exciting milestone as more and more of the hoardings have been removed, meaning almost all of the site is now visible – and what a transformation there has been!

The connection between the new and existing buildings has become clear, revealing an enormous courtyard area between them which will be fantastic for PLP sessions, break times and much more.

Progress internally over the past month has included work on plastering and drylining, ceilings, first fix electrics, decorations and flooring, while ventilation work in the commercial kitchen is almost complete. Externally, the access road to the Hall block has been finished, with drainage work across the site almost complete.

Much more work is scheduled to be completed before the end of the month, including all internal plastering, carpentry, ceiling installation and decoration. Fibre cables and service connections will also be installed and, externally, work on tarmacking, landscaping and fencing is also scheduled to commence.

Looking ahead to the next month, the project will move closer towards its conclusion and much of the internal work is scheduled for completion, including plastering, carpentry, ceiling installation and decorations. External finishes will also be completed with landscaping work and tarmac surfacing getting under way.

15th December 2025

Progress continues on our project to create two new Prep School buildings and the currently rather muddy building site is transforming rapidly ahead of its completion early next year. We are now seeing more and more of the structures as sections of the hoarding were removed just before Christmas to allow for landscaping work between our existing building and new ones.

We were delighted to visit the site just before the end of term and walk through our new school hall, commercial kitchen, classrooms for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, and the new school office. With all the interior walls up, plastering almost complete, doors being hung, and some areas already painted, it is becoming increasingly clear what an incredible addition this will be for the children. Externally, construction of the access route has commenced alongside the start of the drainage works.

Looking ahead to the next month, the project will move closer towards its conclusion and much of the internal work is scheduled for completion, including plastering, carpentry, ceiling installation and decorations. External finishes will also be completed with landscaping work and tarmac surfacing getting under way.

17th November 2025

Another significant milestone has been achieved in our exciting redevelopment project over the past month. Work on the roofing to both buildings has been completed meaning that all external scaffolding has been remove. This has provided us with a brilliant clear perspective of how the completed site will look and increase excitement across the Prep School as the project enters its final few months.

Internally, high level ceiling works have also been completed within the Hall block, while drylining and work on wall partitions is under way in both buildings, as is work on the first fix of electrics. Additionally, the new water main has been installed, service installation between the two blocks is under way, and groundworks projects have re-commenced.

Looking ahead over the next month, plenty of work is scheduled to be completed, including all door and window installation, drylining, drainage work, and service connections. External finishing works and internal decoration will also begin.

6th October 2025

Progress continues at pace on our exciting development project. Following the completion of the brickwork in September, the roofing is nearing completion on the Hall block and is 50% complete on the Teaching block. Solar panels have also been installed on the Hall block.

Internally, the installation of insulated plasterboard to the underside of the roof has been completed in the Hall block and is nearing completion with the Teaching block. Drylining and the installation of partitions have also commenced within both buildings as have the first fix of electrics.

Looking ahead to the next month, work on the roofs to both buildings is due to be completed. Installation of the windows and doors within the Hall block will get under way, which will allow for the scaffolding to start to be removed. New water mains are due to be installed, while drylining will continue within both buildings.

15th September 2025

The start of the new term has coincided with a significant and exciting milestone for our new buildings project following the completion of the external brickwork this month.

The brickwork was only just getting under way when pupils broke up for the summer holidays but within a matter of days of them returning, it had been fully completed on both the Hall and Teaching blocks.

Additional work over the last month has seen the roofing insulation completed on both buildings, alongside screeding to the floors of both. Windows have also been fitted to the Teaching block, while the Hall block has been connected to the electric mains.

Looking ahead to the next month, works on high level ceiling and stand-up seam roof covering will get under way on both buildings, with the guttering to also set to be completed. The installation of internal partitions walls across both buildings will also commence.

18th August 2025

With the new term drawing near, pupils and staff are sure to notice the rapid progress of our development project when they return to school in September.

The brickwork was only just getting under way when pupils broke up for the summer holidays but has now been fully completed on the Hall block, with only brickwork on the gables left to finish on the Teaching block.

Additional work completed over the last month has been carpentry to the roof of the Hall block, allowing the installation of roofing insulation to get under way. The parapet upstand to the gables on the Teaching block has commenced, while off-site drainage has also been completed.

Looking ahead to the next month, alongside the final stages of the brickwork, carpentry work on the roof of the Teaching block will be completed, as will insulation work on both buildings. High level ceiling works are also due to begin.

14th July 2025

The summer holidays may be upon us but work continues apace on our development project, with brickwork continuing to form the focus on both buildings. In the Hall block, brickwork has been fully completed internally and 90% externally. Brickwork also continues on the Teaching block and is expected to be completed on both buildings over the next month.

Additionally, scaffolding adaptions have been completed in line with brickwork progression, the first section of swale has been excavated from around the site and the installation of the parapet upstand to the gables has commenced.

Looking ahead to the next month, alongside ongoing brickwork, the second phase of swale will be removed before the excavation of the attenuation tank gets under way. Also due for completion is the carpentry work to the roof of the Hall block, which will also allow for the installation of the roof windows. New mains cables will also be installed within the plant room.

16th June 2025

Progress continues on our exciting new build project as we edge towards the summer holidays. Brickwork has been the primary focus in recent weeks, and this stage of the project has given us a tangible understanding of how the finished development will look. Intrigue and anticipation across the Prep School is growing as we head off on the summer break.

Brickwork has been completed to ‘first lift’ on both the Hall and Teaching blocks. ‘First lift’ refers to the course or courses of bricks laid after the foundation or damp proof course (DPC) is in place. This initial lift establishes the base for the rest of the wall and is crucial for ensuring proper alignment, level, and squareness. Alongside this, scaffolding adaptions have been completed in line with the brickwork progression.

Looking ahead to next month, the brickwork is scheduled to be completed on both buildings, before the excavation of first section of the swale across the site.

5th May 2025

Pupils and staff may have enjoyed some rest over the Easter holidays but there has been no break in the progress of our new build project!

The latest work has seen concrete flooring poured onto all floors of both the Hall and Teaching blocks, with concrete staircases also poured in the Teaching block.

Alongside this, the block and beam work and drainage work for the Hall block have been completed, with the equivalent work on the Teaching block due for completion soon. Service entry and exit ducts have also been completed for both buildings.

Looking ahead to next month, the excitement will really increase as we reach an important milestone in the project – the brickwork installation. Brickwork on the Hall building will begin first.

17th March 2025

Exciting progress continues to be made on the new buildings project, and the completion of the steel frames for both blocks has given us clear sight of how our new school layout will look.

Completion of the steel frames has allowed for scaffold bases to be installed to both blocks, and a new haul road to serve both blocks has also been created.

Looking ahead to next month, the concrete stairs within the Teaching Block will be installed, while work on the roof and floor decking to both blocks will get under way. Externally, work on drainage and service ducts for both buildings will also commence.

10th February 2025

Construction has continued at a rapid pace and excitement is growing, with the steel installation forging ahead as both buildings are really starting to take shape.

Once the foundations for the teaching building and crane mat were completed, we were able to take delivery of a large crane to begin the installation of the steel framework. Prep School pupils (and teaching staff) found the perfect viewing platform, eagerly watching progress from the Querns Building as the steels were meticulously lowered into place. The scaffold base for the Prep School hall is now finished and progress on the framework for both buildings is anticipated to complete before the end of February half term.

Looking ahead to next month, once the steel framework has been completed, work on the substructure blockwork to both buildings will commence, as will work on the block and beam floor. Externally, work on the drainage and service ducts from both buildings will start shortly.

13th January 2025

The first month of construction has been busy and productive, with several key milestones completed despite the snowy and frozen conditions. The hall foundations are now finished, and important infrastructure work, including drainage and water main diversions, has been successfully completed. The site hoarding has been adjusted, and the reduced dig for the hall’s block and beam floor has been carried out. Welfare facilities for the team are also up and running.

Looking ahead to next month, work will focus on the teaching block, with foundations being laid and floor beams prepared. Steel installation will begin, and surplus soil will be removed to keep the site clear. New drainage installation will also commence. Exciting progress is being made, and we’re thrilled to continue building this amazing space!

First month timelapse with visual updates here.

9^th December 2024 

It was an exciting day on site at Westonbirt Prep School as pupils and staff gathered to celebrate the official start of the 12-month build project. Two pupils—one of the eldest and one of the youngest—lending a hand to break the ground and kick off the project.

Representatives from RJ Leighfield Contracting and Quattro Design Architects, along with members of the Wishford Schools Group, Headmistresses Rebecca Mitchell of Westonbirt Prep School and Natasha Dangerfield of Westonbirt School all posed for a photo to mark this significant milestone.

The site team will spend the next couple of weeks excavating the ground in readiness for the concrete foundations.